Concrete pump vehicle optimization

Proven German quality

Both Liebherr and ASC develop and produce in Germany. Their proximity to manufacturing sites and suppliers facilitates new technical advances, quality control, well-trained talent attraction and retention and also has the benefit of short supply chains and, therefore, rapid availability.

Before a new specialty vehicle goes into serial production, Liebherr carries out extensive analyses of materials, test series and field trials to ensure a long service life. This is of particular importance for machinery and vehicles that are subject to high levels of stress.

Like the manufacturer’s innovative, robust truck-mounted concrete pumps: installed on a heavy-duty transport vehicle and stabilized by a compact support system, they pump the liquid concrete through a flexibly extendable distribution boom, from the mixer directly to those sections of the construction site where it is needed.

Compact sensors for optimal vehicle tuning

“Shocks and vibrations are induced in the structure and chassis by the pumping process, as well as by potholes and other obstacles when driving to and from construction sites,” explains Benedikt Stöhr, test engineer in the Technical Testing Department at Liebherr-Mischtechnik. To precisely record and evaluate these impulses in the product development process, the triaxial ASC 5511LN-010 accelerometer was installed on the frame of a prototype, among other areas.

Sensors of type ASC 5511LN are based on proven MEMS technology and capacitive operating principle. Their integrated electronic circuitry enables a differential analog voltage output (±4 V FSO) and flexible power supply voltage from 6 to 40 VDC. All LN (Low Noise) accelerometers by ASC feature an outstanding signal-to-noise ratio, which is essential for demanding measurements of smallest frequencies and amplitudes in all three degrees of freedom.

“Based on these measurements, we were able to precisely determine the magnitude, duration and direction of the forces occurring during the pumping process and construction site journeys. From this, we calculated the medium and long-term effects of these loads on the vehicle and verified various damping materials, to ensure operational safety of the vehicle overall and protect its onboard electronics. In this test series, the ASC sensor helped reveal significant differences between the damping elements tested and enabled optimal tuning in the serial vehicle,” says Stöhr.

Long-standing customer relationship

High-performance ASC sensors have been in use at Liebherr-Mischtechnik since 2014. Above all, their accuracy and long-term stability have repeatedly convinced the concrete specialists.

“Our customers expect top performance, service quality and long-lasting products,” says the engineer. “We therefore exclusively work with partners who are able to match our demanding standards. ASC’s sensors keep impressing us time and again through their technical quality, reliability, robustness and cost effectiveness.”